1.5 Lakh Workers To Gather At Biggest RSS Conclave Of The Decade

Volunteers of the militant Hindu group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) participate in a three-day workers camp on the outskirts of Ahmadabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015. The RSS, parent organization of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, combines religious education with self-defense exercises. The organization has long been accused of stoking religious hatred against Muslims. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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MUMBAI -- In a grand show of strength, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is all set to hold a huge conclave on Sunday near Pune which is expected to be the biggest gathering of the organisation in a decade.

About 1.50 lakh RSS workers are expected to attend the gathering which would be held across 450 acres near Hinjewadi IT Park on the outskirts of Pune.

Workers from western Maharashtra districts of Pune, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Satara, Sangli, Solapur and Kolhapur have registered themselves for the gathering to be addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Coordinator of the event Sarang Wable said it would be the biggest conclave of the RSS workers in the recent past.

He said the main purpose of the gathering was to reach out to civil societies and social service organisations in the country.

"The purpose of the meet is to project Sangh as a positive force in the society, and to further open up to the wider audience. The main thing we want to highlight is the ideals of discipline practised among the followers of Sangh.

We felt there is a need to showcase the core aspects of the Sangh to important people in the society," Wable said.

Pune RSS chief Bapu Ghatpande said the meet will be completely eco-friendly.

"We are not going to put up huge speakers but we will reach out the speeches using the megaphones. We are hopeful that the last person could also hear each and every word loud and clear," he said.

The food will be served in eco-friendly plates made up of supari (betel nut) leaves.

Noted art designer Nitin Desai has set up a nine-storey replica of Raigad Fort from where Bhagwat will address the gathering.

Sarkaryawah Suresh Joshi will also be present during the address. It will also be a rare occasion when the two top RSS leaders will be present at a function together.